Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-03-28
Coronet Wins thc Race.

The Coronet arrived off Queenstown at
11:3O o'clock Sunday morning, and passed
the winning point at 1850 o'clock under q
full press OF canvas-beating the Daunt
less over twenty-four hours. In pass
ing the line the victorious yacht fired five
guns, and the time was at once taken by
the Royal Cork Yacht Club, who had been
on the lookout for her arrival. The wind
was blowing hard, and the Coronet entered
Cork harbor with all sails set. The actual time
occupied in the passage is IA days 10 hours
8 minutes IA seconds. The whole number
of nautical miles sailed is 2,949. The long,
est days run is 29l.5 miles, made on Satur-
day, March &c, and the shortest 3SS miles,
made on Tuesday, March %. The weather
was uncommonly tempestuous even for this
season of the year. No less than seven
heavy gales contrived to keep the sea in a
foment for eleven days of the trip, and for
make the question of the yachts living
though them somewhat doubtful. She be.
hayed splendidiy, however, in all sorts of
weather, and proved herself one OF the
staunchest vessels of her type afloat. No
accidents happened to any of the sailors,
despite the great risks they were compelled
to undertake at times and with the excep.
lion of three torn sails and little broken
tackle, everything on board the yacht was in
good shape.
The most terrific storm of the series &C.
Cured on st. Patrick's Day. The stolm
first developed soon after midnight in sharp
squalls from the southwest, with driving
rain. At 10 q. u. it began blowing with
great velocity, and by noon had become
hurricane, and two hours later the winds
speed WAS estimated at so miles an hour. 1t
was a grand battle of the elemeLis. The
waves were almost mountain high. Their
surface was dashed into snow white foam,
and as the head of one rode higher than
another, the wind carried it off in dense
spray, which, when driven into one's face,
felt like stab5 from scores OF fine-pointed
needles. The roaring of the wind was like
prolonged peal of thunder, and the re.
semblance was completed by an occasional
vivid flash of lightning. This was severe
test for so small boat as the Coronet.
As she sank in the trough of the sea it seem
ed as if the waves, which were half
mast high, would engulf her. Under reefed
fore trysail she was plnnged along by the
wind at the rate of nine knots, and despite
great volumes of water breaking over the
deck, weathered the storm wonderfully
we'll. When ut $40 p. n. the fury of the
hurricane seemed to be increasing, instead
of diminishing, Capt. Crosby decided to lay
to until the storm had ceased. A favorable
opportunity offering, when the crests of the
waves were exceptionally far apart, the yes
sells head was brought around towards the
wind. Held in this position under only q
reefed fore t-ysal, she could make little
progress in any direction. At midnight the
bal ta6 lar hlS
and the schooner was again got under way,
of the oath q good sailing breeze arose from
the i, southwest and continued for several
days. During that period the Coronet log
ged as high as II knots At noon Thurs
day she bad sailed 21S miles in "a hours
Friday, 225.5 miles, and Saturday 29l 3
miles. The southwest coast of Ireland was
sighted at 627 in the morning, and the
yacht was then bowling along under
all light sails, at the rate of IA
knots an hour. The weather was clear
and warm and the gradual unfolding of the
scenery along the Irish coast presented
beautiful picture. At 1908 pilot came on
board with news that the Coronet was first
to arrive. Along the coast and into the har
Dor scores of vessels Of all sorts were passed.
All dipped their ensigne to the winner, and
the crews all cheered. Atl:30 the Coronet'a
anchor was dropped off the Cork Yacht
Club house.
1t is thought that much quicker passage
might have been made had Capt. Crosby
carried more sail on several occasions. but
when the wind was light and the sky threat
ening he was very cautious. The course
made was little more northerly than was
thought safe, but, fortunately. no icebergs
or feld ice we're encountered. The number
Of persons on board the Coronet was twenty
nine, including sixteen sailors, five officers,
The steward, cook, mess boy and FIVE guests.